“WHAT IS THIS YOU HAVE DONE”

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

This is the question the Lord asked Eve upon confronting her after talking with Adam about the sin they had committed (Genesis 3:1-19).  Adam blamed God for giving him a woman and blamed the woman for giving him of the tree.  Eve blamed the serpent because he had deceived her.  The art of placing blame on someone else dates all the way back to the first man and woman where it did not work with God and we are still doing it today even knowing that it did not work from the beginning!

When I sin --- I sin!  No one makes me do it no matter how hard I try to blame someone for it --- I did it!  We can all make excuses for sinning but that is all that it is an excuse.  Paul stated in I Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” James 1:12 states, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who loved Him.”  Our excuses of someone else made me sin might ease our mind momentarily but we can quickly be brought back to reality by the words of Paul to Timothy in I Timothy 5:23, “...nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.”

We need to constantly ask ourselves the question “What is this that you have done?”  If we answer that we have sinned let us not make excuses, but immediately bow in prayer and ask for repentance.  God knew the answer when He asked Eve the question and He knows the answer when we ask the question!

FACTS ABOUT HELL

FROM MINUTE MESSAGES VOLUME 1

Jesus taught about HELL much more than he taught about HEAVEN.  While it is so important to know about the beautiful mansion, heaven eternal, it is also vital that we learn about HELL!

Jesus taught there is a hell!  In Matthew 10:28 He said we should fear the one who can cause us to be lost “in hell” eternally.  He spoke of those who would be brought down to hell (Matthew 11:23).  In Luke 16 He spoke of the rich man who was in torment.

Jesus said ones who go to hell will remember the past (Luke 16:25; cry for relief (Luke 16:24); and weep and gnash their teeth (Matthew 8:12)!  He said there will not ever be any relief or end to such punishment (Matthew 25:46; II Thessalonians 1:7-9).  Jesus has warned us about this horrible place.  Let us obey Him and thus miss it!

IT'S STILL SIN

BY PAUL SAIN

Many may call it an “alternate lifestyle.”  Ones may falsely suggest they were born that way while others may call such ones “gay,” “homosexual,” or “strange.”  Some may defend their right to make their own decisions.

But friend, God said centuries ago, such action is SIN, and it is STILL SIN!  Man may accept it, embrace it, support it, legalize it, but it is STILL SIN!

Television programs have glorified this sinful action.  Let us stand up, be strong and oppose that which God said was SIN!  Let us speak up, letting our voice be heard ---to television stations, advertisers, magazines, etc.  May we stand for righteousness and oppose ungodliness.